Tech Society: Fantastic bots
Intelligent robots are now performing all sorts of interesting operations.
Multitasking machine
Honda in Japan has its very humanoid robot ASIMO (Advanced Step in Innovation Mobility), which performs a number of tasks.
ASIMO has had different versions unveiled over the years, and has been in development by the company for more than 20 years. The robot stands 4 feet 3 inches tall and can walk, run, and climb stairs, among other several other talks.
Agile android
We all know that the cheetah is the fastest running animal, but do you know the name of the fastest running robot? Yes, scientists have created a robot which does not just run fast, it can also climb mountains! Runbot is a two-legged robot developed by researchers from Germany and Scotland — claimed to be the fastest for its size, with a 3.5 leg-lengths per second stride.
The intelligent machine has the ability to dynamically alter its gait in response to changes in terrain. The robot’s walk cycle is controlled by neuron mimicking software. The software for the system represents a unique and successful attempt at modeling the architecture of the human brain.
Femmebot
If you were fascinated by the cyborgs in the Terminator series, wait till you see Saya — the human-like robot employed at the front desk of Tokyo University. But unlike the robots in the Terminator series, Saya does not kill people and destroy property. Instead, she performs the rather harmless job of a receptionist. First developed in 2004, Saya has also been tested in a real Tokyo classroom among a handful of fifth and sixth graders, although the ‘teacher’ can only take roll call and shout orders such as “be quiet.”
Saya can express six basic emotions — surprise, fear, disgust, anger, happiness, and sadness — because her rubber skin is pulled from the back with motors and the wiring around the eyes and the mouth.
Musclebot
RI-MAN was designed to look after the growing number of elderly in Japan.
It’s the world’s first robot that was specifically engineered to lift and carry humans.
The 5-foot tall 220 pound RI-MAN includes a variety of built-in sensors, which allow it to see, hear, touch, and smell.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 10th, 2012.
Honda in Japan has its very humanoid robot ASIMO (Advanced Step in Innovation Mobility), which performs a number of tasks.
ASIMO has had different versions unveiled over the years, and has been in development by the company for more than 20 years. The robot stands 4 feet 3 inches tall and can walk, run, and climb stairs, among other several other talks.
Agile android
We all know that the cheetah is the fastest running animal, but do you know the name of the fastest running robot? Yes, scientists have created a robot which does not just run fast, it can also climb mountains! Runbot is a two-legged robot developed by researchers from Germany and Scotland — claimed to be the fastest for its size, with a 3.5 leg-lengths per second stride.
The intelligent machine has the ability to dynamically alter its gait in response to changes in terrain. The robot’s walk cycle is controlled by neuron mimicking software. The software for the system represents a unique and successful attempt at modeling the architecture of the human brain.
Femmebot
If you were fascinated by the cyborgs in the Terminator series, wait till you see Saya — the human-like robot employed at the front desk of Tokyo University. But unlike the robots in the Terminator series, Saya does not kill people and destroy property. Instead, she performs the rather harmless job of a receptionist. First developed in 2004, Saya has also been tested in a real Tokyo classroom among a handful of fifth and sixth graders, although the ‘teacher’ can only take roll call and shout orders such as “be quiet.”
Saya can express six basic emotions — surprise, fear, disgust, anger, happiness, and sadness — because her rubber skin is pulled from the back with motors and the wiring around the eyes and the mouth.
Musclebot
RI-MAN was designed to look after the growing number of elderly in Japan.
It’s the world’s first robot that was specifically engineered to lift and carry humans.
The 5-foot tall 220 pound RI-MAN includes a variety of built-in sensors, which allow it to see, hear, touch, and smell.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 10th, 2012.